Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan will star as Jeeves and Wooster, respectively, in Perfect Nonsense, a new play based on and adapted from the established literary works of P.G. Wodehouse that is co-authored by Robert and David Goodale. Performances will begin Oct. 30 at the West End's Duke of York's Theatre, prior to an official opening Nov. 12.

Matthew Macfadyen and Stephen Mangan
Photo by Uli Weber

Prior to the West End, it will play at Richmond Theatre in South West London Oct. 10-19, and Brighton's Theatre Royal Oct. 22-26. Produced by Mark Goucher and Mark Rubinstein, it is directed by Sean Foley.

In a press statement, Foley – who last directed the stage version of The Ladykillers that returns to the West End this July and was seen on Broadway in the transfer of The Play What I Wrote that he co-wrote and starred in – commented, "When the Goodale Brothers’ exceptional script, based on P.G Wodehouse's quintessential English double act of Jeeves and Wooster, was shown to me, I immediately knew I wanted to do it. Wodehouse is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, English comic writer, and the challenge of putting his finest creation on stage for the very first time is a tremendously exciting one. Fortunately, in a show where casting really is everything, I am thrilled to invite Matthew Macfadyen to give us his Jeeves, and Stephen Mangan to show us his Wooster."

Macfadyen, who was last seen on the London stage in Private Lives opposite Kim Cattrall, is a BAFTA Award-winning actor, known for his roles as MI5 Intelligence Officer Tom Quinn in the BBC television drama series "Spooks," Mr. Darcy in "Pride & Prejudice" and Daniel in the Frank Oz comedy "Death at a Funeral." He starred alongside Keira Knightley and Jude Law in Joe Wright's adaptation of "Anna Karenina" in 2012.

Mangan, who was seen in the last London revival of Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests at the Old Vic that subsequently transferred to Broadway's Circle in the Square and who more recently was seen at the Royal Court in Birthday and The People are Friendly, is best known for roles including Guy Secretan in the television series "Green Wing," Dan Moody in "I'm Alan Partridge," Sean Lincoln in "Episodes" and holistic detective Dirk Gently in "Dirk Gently."